USDA to update program delivery services

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will hold a public meeting in Washington later this month to kick off its effort to improve customer service through the use of updated technology.

The project, known as "Modernize and Innovate the Delivery of Agricultural Systems" (MIDAS) is an effort to update the farm program delivery system and provide better service to farmers and ranchers through Web-based technologies.

The updated technology will be deployed in FSA county offices, and is expected to transform the way FSA field staff delivers farm programs and benefits to producers served by more than 2,200 offices throughout the United States.

The meeting is designed to provide an understanding of the MIDAS project goals, strategy and approach to USDA senior level management, agency management, contract partners and FSA employees. The kick-off meeting, which is open to the public on the first day, will be in the Jefferson Auditorium in the USDA South Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, starting on June 29 at 8:30 a.m., continuing through July 1.

Modernizing USDA's business and information technology is part of Vilsack's goal to transform USDA into a premier organization of highly motivated, collaborative and mutually-supportive employees who are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse workplace environment that achieves high standards of performance and exceptional customer service.